The agent for Kirk Cousins met with Washington to discuss a long-term contract following the team's decision to play the franchise tag upon him.

Washington's latest offer is $20 million per year over five seasons with a low guarantee. The desire remains for any new deal to start at the tag number of approximately $24 million.

Washington's best offer last year was $16 million per season, with $24 million in guarantees. If Cousins plays under the tag this season, he will have made $43 million in guaranteed money.

Kyle Shanahan remains a big fan of Cousins, but there's no guarantee the San Francisco 49ers would make a deal to part with two picks plus the type of salary he would command.

"At the end of the day, they're the ones that placed the franchise tag on him," agent Mike McCartney said. "A player, when his contract is up, looks forward to going to free agency to see what his value is on the open market. This is the second straight year that's been taken away from Kirk, so (Washington) did say something about, 'Hey, this guy is worth $24 million.'

"Kirk didn't ask for the franchise tag. I didn't ask for the franchise tag. Still, it's a heck of a commitment from the club, and we view it that way."